news: Casino funds up in smoke -- Joliet (IL) goes nosmoking

[Mousey]

Casino funds up in smoke
JOLIET EXPECTS TO LOSE MONEY WHEN GAMBLERS GAME IN STATES THAT DON'T BAN PUBLIC SMOKING.

December 9, 2007
By BOB OKON Staff writer
JOLIET -- The city of Joliet already expects its casino tax revenue to drop by 7.5 percent next year when a smoking ban takes effect. But that forecast could be low if the casino industry's prediction proves true.

Illinois casinos are predicting a 20 percent decline in revenue strictly because of the smoking ban

"That's what happened in Delaware, and that's what happened in Windsor, Canada," said Tom Swoik, executive director of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association.

Just what happens in Joliet, of course, won't be known until the city's two casinos start operating without cigarette and cigar smoke in the air.

But Joliet's two casinos do tend to lose business when gamblers have a reason to switch to Indiana. And the smoking ban that goes into effect in January could be one such reason.

Possible budget pinch
City officials are showing signs that they expect their budget to be pinched by ...

[winbig]

Originally Posted by Mousey

Casino funds up in smoke
JOLIET EXPECTS TO LOSE MONEY WHEN GAMBLERS GAME IN STATES THAT DON'T BAN PUBLIC SMOKING.

December 9, 2007
By BOB OKON Staff writer
JOLIET -- The city of Joliet already expects its casino tax revenue to drop by 7.5 percent next year when a smoking ban takes effect. But that forecast could be low if the casino industry's prediction proves true.

Illinois casinos are predicting a 20 percent decline in revenue strictly because of the smoking ban

"That's what happened in Delaware, and that's what happened in Windsor, Canada," said Tom Swoik, executive director of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association.

Just what happens in Joliet, of course, won't be known until the city's two casinos start operating without cigarette and cigar smoke in the air.

But Joliet's two casinos do tend to lose business when gamblers have a reason to switch to Indiana. And the smoking ban that goes into effect in January could be one such reason.

Possible budget pinch
City officials are showing signs that they expect their budget to be pinched by ...

I sure wouldn't go there if I had to go outside to smoke. At least when Atlantic city banned smoking, they allowed the casinos to have certain areas available to smokers. I think when all the dust settled you could smoke in ~20% of a casino, and only at a handful of table games/slot areas. I guarantee you'll never see Vegas pull this stunt. Maybe these other places should take notes.

I bet they stand to lose a few jobs as well. So much for the cigarette/cigar ladies walking around....

[lauriejim]

wont find me gambling there, most casinos offer smoke free playing areas. i can never see this happening in vegas, can you imagine the money vegas would loseit would be mind blowing imo.......laurie

[NASHVEGAS]

Well the smoke was always what kept me from Metropolis (which is in the southern tip of IL., it is the closest casino to Nashvegas, and the home of Superman) so now I will wait til January and take Metropolis up on their recent offer to fly me back and forth anytime by private plane as I please with only an hour's notice as Harrah's knows most my B & M gambling escapades are impulsive and rarely planned. Laurie are you still scared to fly, even if Jim holds your hand???

[lauriejim]

Originally Posted by NASHVEGAS

Well the smoke was always what kept me from Metropolis (which is in the southern tip of IL., it is the closest casino to Nashvegas, and the home of Superman) so now I will wait til January and take Metropolis up on their recent offer to fly me back and forth anytime by private plane as I please with only an hour's notice as Harrah's knows most my B & M gambling escapades are impulsive and rarely planned. Laurie are you still scared to fly, even if Jim holds your hand???

like i said , jim and i are up for it, i will just close my eyes till we land, for how long, 30mins? i can do that.......laurie............p.s ill chew lots of gum as i know smoking bothers you, see i have a nice side

[winbig]

Originally Posted by lauriejim

like i said , jim and i are up for it, i will just close my eyes till we land, for how long, 30mins? i can do that.......laurie............p.s ill chew lots of gum as i know smoking bothers you, see i have a nice side

I too was scared of flying. You know what my cure was? 2 trips to Vegas.



Seriously....I love flying now!

[lauriejim]

Originally Posted by winbig

I too was scared of flying. You know what my cure was? 2 trips to Vegas.



Seriously....I love flying now!

last time i flew was to vegas right before 9/11 and after that its just freaks me out to fly.i told hubby id like to go back to vegas maybe around april or may or we might just go to A/C and meet up with alot of my yankee C/M forum buddies and we will have one heck of a party!!!!..............................laurie

[two_card]

Originally Posted by NASHVEGAS

Well the smoke was always what kept me from Metropolis (which is in the southern tip of IL., ??

If you are a video poker player - you should hope the smoking ban is lifted at Metropolis and you can not go. That is how bad the paytables (6/5 JOB type) were when I last visited. That is why I do not go to Metropolis.